East London Mosque Festival Draws Mega Crowds

Marking `Eid Al-Fitr thousands of people visited the East London `Eid Festival, organized by the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre.

The streets behind the mosque and the center were transformed into a vibrant street fair, with fairground rides for children, a bazaar, food market, face painting and even a climbing wall.

An exhibition within the London Muslim Centre charted the history of the mosque which had been founded in 1910 and fund by Muslims and non-Muslims working together.

The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Councilor Motin Uz-Zaman, set celebrations underway as he officially opened the festival.

“This event marks one hundred years of service of the East London Mosque. It shows the ambition they have in engaging the community, of all communities in Tower Hamlets and East London, to celebrate our diversity by organizing an event like this.”- Councilor Uz- Zaman said.

Guests were given a tour of the partially constructed Maryam Centre, the mosque’s latest expansion project due to be completed next year.

Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, Chairman of the East London Mosque Trust, told the assembled crowds, “This is a very joyous occasion for all of us. This year we have a joint celebration, the `Eid Festival as well as our centenary.

"With the completion of the Maryam Centre we will be able to accommodate over 2,000 more worshippers and have new facilities for women.”

BBC One recently aired ‘Middle EastEnders’, a documentary of the 100 year history of the mosque. Also, the BBC London news website posted an article about the East London Mosque’s history.

In keeping with tradition, the festival and exhibition were enjoyed by both Muslims and non-Muslims. By happy coincidence the neighboring Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue opened its doors as part of the European Day of Jewish Culture, allowing visitors to the festival to enjoy a genuinely interfaith experience.

Did you attend East London Festival this year? Post your comments on the festival and the role that this Muslim center plays in London.

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